Predicted Discharge Rate for gamma/beta-MnO2 versus lambda-MnO2.

Report No.

ARL-TN-160

Authors:

Jeff Wolfenstine

Date/Pages:

March 2000; 10 pages

Abstract:

Recently, lambda-MnO2 has been proposed as an alternative cathode to gamma/beta-MnO2 in Li/MnO2 primary batteries because of its potential faster discharge rate. The results presented here suggest that (1) switching from gamma/beta-MnO2 to lambda-MnO2 of equal particle size will lead to a maximum increase in the discharge rate at room temperature of about an order of magnitude and (2) when formed by acid digestion, gamma-MnO2 and beta-MnO2 have a higher lithium diffusivity and hence a faster discharge rate than when they are produced by the usual commercial means, a difference that may result from the lower structural water content in the materials produced by acid digestion.